This week's topic explored Neuroscience and Art, and how scientists have developed neuroscience by exploring the unconscious and the conscious. I have now become even more aware of the effects that the world around us has on our consciousness and brain activity. Hallucinogenic drugs or graphic movies demonstrates how our mind is capable of such fascinating extraordinary things. 

Our Human Brain

Physicist Roger Penrose once stated, "Compared to the complexity of the brain, a galaxy is just an inert lump."The comparison of the galaxy to our brain is pictured left. Even today, humans have yet to map out exactly how the brain works. This touches upon the concept of phrenology, which is based on finding out about personality through analysis of skull shape. Professor Vesna states that it was believed that each portion of the brain controlled a certain specific skill one was exceptional at. Her statement really interested me the most, because I believe that it definitely makes sense when looking at people's abilities in general. Below a phrenology model is shown: 


Our brain's ability to react in unusual ways when we see, hear, taste, or feel things that frighten us is depicted in the Amygadaloid's music video. Even though our brain merely adapted these instincts for survival, it is truly remarkable how our neurons can create such vivid emotions in our brain and react by warning us of possible danger. The Amygdaloids's passion for music and neuroscience at the same time really demonstrates to us the complexity of the human brain. 


Lastly, when dealing with drugs such as LSD or cocaine, scientists have recently mapped out the alteration in the chemistry of our brains when taking LSD or cocaine. These drugs can create vibrant colors and objects that actually do not exist in reality, and can enhance or embellish our perception of life simply by changing the chemical make up of our brains. I believe that this is an instance when science and art crosses paths, and below is an image of how a drug affects our brains and neurons: 

I believe that this weeks' topic is so important to us because we use our brain every single second of the day, even when we sleep. Our brains control every motion we make and also every thought we think. The application of art to neuroscience can be expressed in so many ways, from brainbow to phrenology, or even incorporating drugs to create a psychadelic experience. We are now only beginning to understand the psychological implications of many of these things on a scientific level. I am looking to future studies, which may start new forms of art in this field.



Citations: 

Brain On Drugs. N.d. Photograph. Brain On Drugs. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FyDVSBTGW-ikqx81DTdVC7D-BKdEUIax6y8jtVAn_Bhuz7MfLsR1j_dRpeDQQRI_z4Q4KKF_WrqWkZyC-zM5xBXinFd2J7D2Dp8sQJ0Z5AbJMwI8Ts3U7Zsycr2G8ndXU6FC43XEioNJ/s1600/BrainOnDrugs.jpg>.

Lienhard, John H. "No. 2148 American Phrenology." Engines of Our Ingenuity. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. <http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi2148.htm>.

Neuron. N.d. Photograph. Creative Biology. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <http://creativebiology.blogspot.com/2010/02/neurons-and-on-being-science-nrrd.html>.

"The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel: Sci, Space, Tech." 'The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel: Sci, Space, Tech'. Leverhulme Trust, 15 May 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. 
<http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2013/05/more-complex-than-a-galaxy-new-insights-into-the-human-brain.html>.

Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. Neuroscience and Art Lecture. UCLA Online. Web.